Hisaronu Travel Guide

The charming hill town of Hisaronu, a short distance inland from Turkey's Mediterranean coast, has boomed into a popular holiday resort. Bristling with hotels, bars, restaurants, shops, and tour operators, it is ideally situated for those intent on exploring the region and enjoying an active holiday.

Hisaronu is centrally located on the Turquoise Coast, within a short (local taxi) ride from the busy centre of Fethiye, the beautiful seaside resort of Oludeniz with its blue lagoon and crescent beach, and numerous sites of interest.

The town of Hisaronu itself is a bit of a hodgepodge of buildings, but the surrounding area offers a ruggedly beautiful landscape covered in pine forest, ideal for holidaymakers keen on walking, and a coast filled with secluded bays and coves accessed through winding forest paths. Being set at high altitude the town also has the advantage of being cooler and less humid than the coast, a pleasant refuge to retreat to after a day in the summer sun.

Shopping

The main street of Hisaronu is well supplied with a variety of stores selling everything holidaymakers look for in Turkey, including fake designer wear, carpets, and leather goods. Haggling is expected and part of the shopping experience, and there is a beachfront minimarket that offers a number of bargains.

Restaurants

Hisaronu has a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants to cater for the tastes of international tourists, including traditional English, sizzling pizzas, and spicy Mexican. Most are along the main street, including favourites such as the Shine Indian Restaurant and the Dragonara Chinese Restaurant. For traditional Turkish delights the Olive Tree is hard to beat, while Malibu offers a mixture of English and Turkish cuisine. Travellers shouldn't overlook the street vendors and their delicious kebabs.

Nightlife

The nightlife of Hisaronu on the Turquoise Coast is legendary, its clubs and pubs rocking until the early hours during the summer season. Holidaymakers will find everything from Turkish-themed nights to British soccer, 60s discos, or full-on nightclubs. Most clubs are centred round the main street of town.

Holiday activities

There is no need to spend all day lying on the beautiful Oludeniz Beach or beside a hotel pool. Hisaronu is packed with opportunities to get out and about, with popular activities including paragliding from Babadag Mountain to land on the beach, canoeing down the Xanthos River to Patara, pitching paintballs in the pine forests, and visiting the bazaar in nearby Fethiye. Visitors can take a glass-bottom boat trip to the Greek island of Rhodes or an excursion to the ghost town of Kayakoy, and watersports such as scuba diving and waterskiing are also on offer.

Any negatives?

During the summer months the beaches can be a little crowded so it's best to secure a spot early.